Worldwide smartphone shipments will reach a total of 1.2 billion units in 2014 in what represent a 23.1% increase from the 1.0 billion units shipped in 2013, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC).[blockquote right=”pull-right” cite=”IDC”]Android OS is going to remain the market leader with its shares expected to reach 80.2% in 2014 although Android phones are expected to compete with the emergence of Windows Phone that is now gaining the heart of most mobile device users.[/blockquote]

According to the US market research company, Android OS is going to stay the market leader with its shares expected to reach 80.2% in 2014 although Android phones are expected to compete with the emergence of Windows Phone that is now gaining the heart of most mobile device users.

Despite all the false stories on release of larger screen iPhones, IDC predict that share of iOS to drop from 14.8% in 2014, to 13.7% in 2018 as a result of high cost of Apple products. IOS volumes are expected to hit 184.1 million in 2014, growing to 247.4 million in 2018.

Windows Phone continues to slowly build its global footprint, and growth is expected to outpace the market throughout the forecast period. In 2014, volumes are expected to grow 29.5% over 2013, reaching 43.3 million shipments. This growth is expected to continue into 2015, reaching 65.9 million units, continuing on to 115.3 million in 2018.

IDC also says that Blackberry will suffer setback as its volumes across board are expected to drop 49.6% in 2014, equal to 9.7 million units. Looking ahead, the volumes are expected to continue to decline to 4.6 million units in 2018.

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